A natural wool felt sauna hat cared for correctly will last many years of regular use. The care requirements are simple but specific to the properties of natural wool — understanding them prevents the most common mistakes that shorten the hat's life.

After each sauna session. Remove the hat and allow it to air dry naturally — away from direct heat sources. Do not place it on or near a radiator, a heated towel rail, or in direct sunlight to speed drying. Natural wool felt dried at high temperature can shrink and stiffen. Allow it to dry at room temperature, ideally with the crown held in its natural shape by placing it on a rounded surface (a ball, a rolled towel) to maintain the form.

Washing. A natural wool felt sauna hat should not be machine washed. Hand wash gently in cool water with a small amount of mild wool wash or gentle soap — not regular detergent, which strips the natural lanolin from the wool fibre. Submerge the hat, squeeze gently without wringing or twisting, rinse thoroughly in cool water, and reshape while damp before air drying.

Reshaping. If the hat loses its shape during use or washing, reshape it while the felt is still damp by gently manipulating the crown back to its original form and allowing it to dry in the correct shape. Natural wool felt is forgiving when damp and holds its shape well when correctly dried.

Storage. Store the hat in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Avoid compressing it under heavy objects, which can permanently flatten the crown. If stored for a long period, keep it away from natural light, which can fade the wool's natural colour over time.

Pilling. Natural wool felt does not pill significantly under normal sauna use. If small surface fibres lift with use, these can be gently removed with a soft natural bristle brush.

How to Clean a Sauna Hat  ·  How to Care for a Sauna Hat  ·  Natural Sauna Hats